A Champion for the Mentally Ill

IN 1969, WHEN MARK J. HEYRMAN ’67 STOOD BEFORE THE LOCAL DRAFT BOARD in Evanston to declare his conscientious objection to the Vietnam War, he could not have foreseen that his personal act of resistance—–an act rooted in his Catholic faith—–would set him on a new and unexpected path in life.

Heyrman in the 1980s

The parole board granted Heyrman his military exemption in exchange for two years of alternate service at an approved nonprofit—–and the 20-yearold signed on as a nurse’s aide in the psychiatric ward at Michael Reese Hospital. Later, when Heyrman began working toward a law degree at the University of Chicago, his work at Michael Reese attracted the attention of the director of the school’s legal aid clinic, who tasked the young law student with all of the clinic’s cases involving mental illness.

In 1978, Heyrman, then a practicing attorney, was hired by the University of Chicago to join the law school faculty and launch the university’s new Mental Health Advocacy Project—–an interdisciplinary program that brought students from the University of Chicago Law School and School of Social Service Administration together to provide legal and social services for vulnerable Chicagoans with mental health issues. I A Champion for the Mentally Ill

Heyrman spent the next 41 years filling a critical gap in the legal system through his work as a law professor, lawyer, Mental Health Advocacy Project director and advocate for the mentally ill. During that time, he litigated more than 1,000 cases to protect the rights of clients with mental health issues, shaped mental health policy, promoted clinical legal education and influenced hundreds of students.

This dedicated advocate for the rights of the mentally ill—–who retired in 2019—–has left an enduring legal and humanitarian legacy, according to University of Chicago Law School Dean Thomas J. Miles. “Mark’s legacy is that of a champion—–someone who fought not only for his clients and others with mental illness, but for his students and colleagues and for clinical legal education as a whole. He has left a lasting impression on many in our community, and we are thankful for his passion, dedication and years of service.” (An Unexpected Path and a Devoted Champion, April 5, 2019, https://www.law.uchicago.edu/news/unexpected-path-and-devoted-champion)

Mark J. Heyrman ‘67 (above) during his 41-year tenure as director of the University of Chicago Law School’s Mental Health Advocacy Project